Ike reporting question

<<<BC-Ike-Economy/948
Eds: Moving on general news and financial services.
Houston port, airports wait to reopen after Ike
By DAVID KOENIG and STEPHEN MANNING
AP Business Writers

As Hurricane Ike faded and rain clouds eased, business owners along the Texas Gulf Coast began returning to their shops and offices Sunday to size up their rebuilding job.
The early betting line was that damage wasn't as bad as feared.>>>

Early betting line? What the...?

I mean seriously, is that a term anyone should use here?
Is Ike now a sports thing? I can imagine there is a sick and morbid crowd that would bet on anything (probably including how many will be eventually be found dead), but even if they have such a line is that really what you want to base your story on? Vegas odds? I can see using that in say "The early line was that the Colts would come back to beat the Vikings" but not on a hurricane story.

I'm guessing you havent covered a hurricane before.
It's a little chaotic to say the least.
If a reporter uses a phrase you dont happen to agree with, next time cut the person a break instead of trying to humiliate him on a message board.

I'm guessing you havent covered a hurricane before.
It's a little chaotic to say the least.
If a reporter uses a phrase you dont happen to agree with, next time cut the person a break instead of trying to humiliate him on a message board.